Local police officers are on the hunt for the perpetrators of five potentially connected break and enters at downtown businesses in the last three weeks.
On July 30 at around 3:30 am, a culprit smashed the glass door at Ken’s Confectionery and stole a quantity of cigarettes. That same night the offices of Travel Alberta North, on 51st street, and Athabasca Health Foods, on 49th street, were broken into.
Marianne McKee, managing director of Travel Alberta North, said she discovered the smashed window and missing items on Tuesday morning.
She said about $5,000 worth of computer equipment and office supplies was stolen, and that the perpetrators were able to rifle through desks to look for valuables.
“It was clear they were in there for a while, I could tell they had gone through my desk drawers,” she said, adding that she felt her privacy had been violated.
She said that she and her staff have noticed more missing items as they go through their daily routine, including a stack of postage stamps.
The owner of Athabasca Health Foods tells a similar tale.
Bev Benham said she was disappointed to find out out crooks had taken $5,000 worth of vitamins and her cash and debit machines. She said the total damage was about $7,500.
She may look into bumping up her security measures but hopes that getting the word out about the multiple break-ins will bring the guilty party to justice.
“People should be aware of what’s happening in their neighbourhood,” she said.
Both Cheap Seats Sporting Goods and Daisy’s Grace Family Clothing Inc. fell victim to similar break-and-enters in the early hours of July 13.
RCMP detachment commander Sgt. Brian Scott said that even though the circumstances are similar, police cannot be sure that they are connected.
“There could be that possibility,” he said.
The sergeant encouraged downtown business owners to make sure their alarm systems are working and to possibly look into increased security measures, citing a few businesses with metal bars on their windows.
He was mum on how the police are changing tactics to apprehend the perpetrators.
Chamber of Commerce President Nigel Satchwell did his best to let members know about the thefts by e-mail, after the RCMP requested he send out a warning to potential targets.
He asked owners to be extra diligent as police track down the culprits.
